Stem cell-based gene delivery mediated by cationic niosomes for bone regeneration purposes

Introduction BMP-7 protein plays a pivotal role in the transformation of mesenchymal cells into bone. However, its impact is hampered due to its short half-life. Therefore, gene therapy could represent an interesting approach... [ view full abstract ]

Introduction

BMP-7 protein plays a pivotal role in the transformation of mesenchymal cells into bone. However, its impact is hampered due to its short half-life. Therefore, gene therapy could represent an interesting approach to deliver BMP-7 gene to mouse mesenchymal stem cells (D1-MSCs).

Methods

In this work we prepared and characterized niosomes based on cationic lipid 2,3 di(tetradecyloxy)propan-1-amine, combined with polysorbate 80 for gene delivery purposes. Niosomes were combined and physicochemically characterized initially with pCMS-EGFP reporter plasmid, and later with pUNO1-hBMP-7 plasmid to evaluate osteogenic differentiation. Additionally, specific blockers of most relevant endocytic pathways were used to evaluate the intracellular disposition of complexes.

Results and Discussion D1-MSCs transfected with niosomes showed increased growth rate, enhanced ALP activity and extracellular matrix deposition which suggested the formation of osteoblast-like cells. Such findings could lead to the conclusion that hBMP-7-transfected D1-MSCs could be considered not only as an effective delivery tool of hBMP-7, but also as proliferating and bone forming cells for bone regeneration.